Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-29
District Nominations.


either approve or copy the article ap'
oearing in the CITIZEN of the 10Th
INST. relative to changing the present
Conferree system Of making district
nominations, for Congress and State
Senate.
We have not noticed anything IN
the Beaver or Lawrence county Re-
publican papers on the subject as yet.
This may arise from the fact that these
counties are the two smaller ones OF
our new Congressional district, and
from a fear therefore existing that
they would not have an equal chance
in q nomination if the system be
changed to either of the new ones
to wit: BY either the
popular uote or by the representative
delegate system, being the only two
systems proposed to be substituted Ii
this be the fear or feeling existing IN
those counties we think it is a great
mistake on their part, and that but
short trial of either the proposed
changes might soon demonstrate this
fact. Under either change the bralnl-
est. the ablest and the best man offer
ing in a district. would be the one
most likely to be chosen. By the
popular uote plan in particular all
county lines would be broken down
or disappear, and the candidates of
each county could and would
enter into and canvass in oil the
counties, thus making an acqualn.
tance with all the people of all the
counties they aspire to represent in
Congress or the Senate. The result
would be that the man with the best
reputation, who was considered the
fittest and best to serve the people,
would in all probability be nominated,
let him reside in whatever county of
the district he might.
For these and other reasons we
have always felt inclined to favor the
popular vote system. No argument
can be urged against it in district
that would not apply with equal force
in q county; for in q county there are
small or large Townships or Boro's.,
as regards vote or population, and
yet the popular vote system is ex-
isting, without complaint, as it does
OF present in three counties of our
new Congressional districts. to wit :
Beaver, Butler and Lawrence coun-
ties.
Under the representative delegate
system, the other change proposed,
the principal object in view would
also be obtained, to wit: a deliver
ance from the Con- ferree system, which
was nothing more nor less than
personal system, the candidate of a
county securing three personal friends
as has conferfees, who were in honor
bound to adhere to and obey has
wishes. By the representative dele
gate system is meant the election OF
delegates, from each county, and in
proportion to the Republican vote OF
each county these delegates to meet
in district Convention, held some
where in the district. While, as we
say, the matter by this plan would
also be taken out of the hands of the
candidates, or their conferrees and the
said delegates be elected by the voters,
vet to our mind that is about all that
is gained under the delegate system.
These men, thus chosen, would still
be, more or less, subject to the in
f1uence and interest of the candidate
presented by their County, and to
that county pride always existing or
that can be created. This would be
natural, and could not in reason be
avoided or complained of. Besides,
the candidates of each county would
look after the choice of these dele
gates, and endeavor, if possible, to
have their personal friends brought
out and elected as such delegates
The result would be-and has been
under this system where existing
that as dead lock often occurs as
under the conferree system. The
chances are lessened, but they still
exist and happen. Then the proper ap-
portioning of the delegates among
the different counties is matter that
has always required care, trouble and
expense. Then, the expense to cau-
didates of the meeting in district
Conventions, of go large a body of
delegates,is to be considered. In this
district the whole number would
probably be not less than forty.
The number would be obtained by
the ratio fixed for a delegate, but
whether large or small the expenses
of the district Convention must
necessarily be large. All these OBJ
jections would be avoided by direct
appeal to the voters through a popu-
lar vote "of the people, by the people
and for the people"
But, as we have said, we are not
tenacious as to which system. The
matter is to get change from the old
conferree system. Mercer county has
led the way by appointing Com
mittee of three to meet with similar
Committees to be appointed by the
other counties. These Committees
will have the matter in charge and
agree upon the change to be made.